NSW Maritime has appointed specialist property consulting firm, Hill PDA, to carry out the study.

“Hill PDA has a team of land economists, researchers, valuers and urban planners skilled at providing such strategic advice,” Mr Tripodi said.

The Department of Lands and the Department of Planning will also be key partners in the project. Overseeing the study will be a steering committee comprised of the Boating Industry Association (BIA) and the Boat Owners Association (BOA).

There are more than 223,000 registered vessels in NSW, including 216,000 recreational and personal watercraft (such as jetskis). Another 7200 vessels are commercially registered, used for hire and drive purposes, or are in periodic survey.

“Vessels are stored in a variety of locations across NSW – including backyards, in garages, on trailers parked on the street, dry stack storage facilities near waterways, moorings, marina berths or private berths,” Mr Tripodi said.

The study is expected to be completed by mid-2009 and the report will be made available to the boating public.